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Ruby Bridges Reading Festival at National Civil Rights Museum

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Families enjoying activities at the Ruby Bridges Reading Festival

News Summary

The National Civil Rights Museum is set to host the eighth Ruby Bridges Reading Festival, coinciding with the anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Civil rights icon Ruby Bridges will headline the event, reading from her new book and engaging families through numerous literary activities. The festival aims to promote access to education and celebrate Bridges’ legacy in advocating for youth empowerment and equity. It is a free event supported by various organizations and offers a platform for discussing crucial issues in education.

MEMPHIS – The National Civil Rights Museum is preparing to host its eighth Ruby Bridges Reading Festival on Saturday, May 17. This annual festival coincides with the anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which was pivotal in the desegregation of public schools in the United States.

Ruby Bridges, a well-known civil rights icon and author, will be the headline speaker for the event. At just six years old, Bridges made history by integrating William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. Since then, she has dedicated herself to advocating for equity, education, and youth empowerment through her foundation and various public engagements.

This year, Bridges will read from her latest book, Ruby Bridges: A Talk with My Teacher. The book pays tribute to Barbara Henry, her supportive teacher during her experience of school desegregation. It addresses critical issues such as how educators can advocate for justice and counter modern challenges like classroom censorship and the erosion of civil rights.

The museum’s president, Dr. Russ Wigginton, emphasized that Bridges symbolizes the essential courage and clarity needed in contemporary society. The festival is designed to connect Bridges’ impactful legacy with new generations who are dedicated to working towards a better world.

The Ruby Bridges Reading Festival will feature a wealth of activities suitable for families. Thousands of books will be given away for free during the event, alongside guest readings from various children’s authors. In addition to these literary offerings, families will also have the opportunity to engage in arts and crafts, listen to music, enjoy balloon art, participate in storytelling, and take part in educational activities tailored for children from pre-K through elementary grades.

The festival is supported by a variety of organizations, including Sylvamo, International Paper, Korones Family Foundation, Urban Child Institute, Tennessee Arts Commission, ARTSmemphis, and the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation. Community partners such as the Memphis Public Library and Information Center and Porter Leath Books from Birth will also be involved in making this event a success.

Taking place in the museum’s guest parking lot, the outdoor festival will have an alternate indoor location at Hooks Hyde Hall in the event of inclement weather. Best of all, the festival is free to the public, providing an accessible opportunity for families to engage in meaningful activities together.

Bridges has consistently highlighted the significance of providing children with access to books, enabling them to grasp their history and develop their sense of self. She has been actively collaborating with the National Civil Rights Museum since receiving the museum’s Freedom Award in 2015, aiming to uplift youth voices in the ongoing conversation about education and equity.

Concerns about book banning and its potential implications for education and literacy have also been a focus of Bridges’ advocacy. Through the reading festival, she reaffirms her commitment to ensuring that young learners have the tools they need to succeed and understand their place in society.

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